BBC Homepage
  • Skip to content
  • Accessibility Help
  • Your account
  • Notifications
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
  • More menu
More menu
Search BBC
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
Close menu
BBC News
Menu
  • Home
  • InDepth
  • Israel-Gaza war
  • War in Ukraine
  • Climate
  • UK
  • World
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Culture
More
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Health
  • Family & Education
  • In Pictures
  • Newsbeat
  • BBC Verify
  • Disability
  • BBC Trending

Fellow comedians hit out at Louis CK's stand-up return

  • Published
    28 August 2018
Share page
About sharing
Louis CKImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Louis CK has won six Emmy Awards and had 39 nominations

ByPatrick Evans
BBC News

Louis CK has performed stand-up comedy for the first time since he admitted last year to several instances of sexual misconduct.

In November 2017, the month after the #MeToo campaign against sexual harassment began, the comedian released a statement confirming allegations made against him by five women were true.

"There is nothing about this that I forgive myself for," he said and added he could hardly wrap his head around the "scope of hurt" he has caused.

  • What has #MeToo actually changed?

  • How 'MeToo' is exposing the scale of sexual abuse

  • Louis CK's film release scrapped amid sex allegations

On Sunday night Louis CK made an an unannounced appearance at the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village, New York. He did not make reference to his past behaviour.

Instead his set consisted of "typical Louis CK stuff," including racism, waitresses' tips and parades, Noam Dworman, owner of the venue, told the New York Times, external.

According to Mr Dworman, the comic was given a warm greeting by the audience when he took to the stage.

Talking to OS on the BBC World Service Mr Dworman conceded the manner of Louis CK's appearance did not allow the audience to decide in advance whether to see the comic's routine or not: "I can't deny that somebody who was ambushed by him has a different right to be upset about it than someone who wasn't there and is just complaining about it. "

Media caption,

The owner of a New York comedy club explains why he allowed the comedian to perform

As news of his return emerged, other comedians were critical on social media.

"Louis CK being 'banished' from stand-up comedy wasn't some kind of petty punishment, it was a workplace safety issue," tweeted stand-up Ian karmel.

Comic, writer and actress Melinda Hill said Louis CK was "spearheading the #MeTooSoon movement".

Musical comedienne Allie Goertz recalled one of her "fondest memories" had been singing a song about Louis CK right before he made a surprise appearance.

"The idea of him doing a drop-in now feels awful," she tweeted. "I believe people can grow and change, but this urgency to bring him (and others) back so soon just sends such a bad message."

Presentational grey line

You may also be interested in:

  • What is 'primitive technology' and why do we love it?

  • 'You don't want to be Chinese anymore'

  • Teachers donate 100 sick days to colleague with cancer

Presentational grey line

According to Mr Dworman, one audience member complained on Monday about not being told in advance of Louis CK's appearance so they could decide whether they wanted to have been there or not. Others emailed in to say they were pleased to have seen him.

"I understand some people will be upset with me," said Mr Dworman. "And I care about doing the right thing."

However, he added there could not be "a permanent life sentence on someone who does something wrong".

On Twitter, fans of Louis CK also defended his appearance: "Why Should Louis CK stop doing what he loves?" wrote one. "You can stop buying tickets and stop watching."

Although, as several replies pointed out, this was an unannounced set, therefore Louis CK was not on the bill when people bought their tickets.

Top stories

  • Dame Jilly Cooper dies aged 88 after fall, with Queen paying tribute to 'legend'

    • Published
      2 hours ago
  • Footage appears to show Jihad Al-Shamie before attack

    • Published
      2 hours ago
  • Live. 

    Hamas arrives for indirect talks with Israel on Trump's Gaza peace plan

    • 9263 viewing9.3k viewing

More to explore

  • Sex, class, horses: The unique mix that made Jilly Cooper's books special

    Jill Cooper sitting at a piano, pictured in 1996
  • Does your relationship have a swag gap, and is that always a bad thing?

    Jessica Raialo wearing a green and blue flower patterned jacket, orange neck scarf, grey and red t-shirt and a belt, next to her boyfriend wearing a dark cap and long-sleeved top.
  • What is MND and are athletes more likely to be diagnosed?

    • Attribution
      Sport
    Rob Burrow (left) and Kevin Sinfield (right)
  • Gisèle Pelicot to face one of her rapists in court as French women fear nothing has changed

    Gisèle Pelicot is surrounding by members of the press carrying cameras. She is walking with her head held high with a faint smile. She has a red bob and is wearing a black coat. She is flanked by her legal team.
  • Chris Mason: Why protests have started a debate over 'Britishness'

    A male protester wearing a hat and making a peace gesture with his fingers is carried away by four police officers
  • The true cost of cyber attacks - and the business weak spots that allow them to happen

    M&S and JLR logos
  • EastEnders' Kellie Bright on the challenges of being parent of an autistic child

    Kellie Bright is wearing a bright red shirt with white lace details, leaning forward with hands on a colourful floral-patterned surface, against a plain light background. Her hair is tied up with a pink accessory.
  • Why time matters for Tory MPs deciding Kemi Badenoch's future

    Kemi Badenoch wearing a white jacket and white t-shirt is pictured waving to the camera. There is a union jack pictured to the left.
  • India wants to lure back its best minds after H-1B visa chaos - but it won't be easy

    A supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding the Indian flag during the Howdy Modi event in Houston in 2019.
loading elsewhere stories

Most read

  1. 1

    Dame Jilly Cooper dies aged 88 after fall, with Queen paying tribute to 'legend'

  2. 2

    Alarming number of people now vape, says WHO

  3. 3

    Footage appears to show Jihad Al-Shamie before attack

  4. 4

    US Supreme Court rejects Ghislaine Maxwell appeal in Epstein case

  5. 5

    France in fresh political crisis as PM Lecornu quits after 26 days

  6. 6

    Nottingham attacks victim awarded George Medal

  7. 7

    Does your relationship have a swag gap, and is that always a bad thing?

  8. 8

    'I was lucky to get out': Everest hikers battle hypothermia as blizzard rescue continues

  9. 9

    MoD spends millions on private schools to avoid Welsh language

  10. 10

    Apple and Samsung users could be due share of £480m payout

BBC News Services

  • On your mobile
  • On smart speakers
  • Get news alerts
  • Contact BBC News

Best of the BBC

  • The Bafta-winning Belfast police drama returns

    • Attribution
      iPlayer

    Added to Watchlist
    Blue Lights has been added to your iPlayer Watchlist.
    Blue Lights
  • Andy Zaltzman dissects the week's news

    • Attribution
      Sounds

    Added to My Sounds
    The News Quiz has been added to your My Sounds.
  • Exposing a disturbing scam targeting teenage boys

    • Attribution
      iPlayer

    Added to Watchlist
    Blackmailed: The Sextortion Killers has been added to your iPlayer Watchlist.
    Blackmailed: The Sextortion Killers
  • The foods that could help you live to 100

    • Attribution
      Sounds

    Added to My Sounds
    The Food Chain has been added to your My Sounds.
    The Food Chain
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
  • Terms of Use
  • About the BBC
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility Help
  • Parental Guidance
  • Contact the BBC
  • Make an editorial complaint
  • BBC emails for you

Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.